Realms of the Underdark

Chapter Twelve: Dagger Bearer

"Hello, Drizzt Do'Urden," spoke a sultry voice.

Gasping in surprise, Drizzt spun around. At first the small storeroom appeared empty. Then the shadows unfolded before him. He blinked and found he was not alone after all.

She was the most beautiful drow lady he had ever seen. Her skin was as dark as onyx and as radiant as faerie fire, and her bone-white hair fell over her smooth shoulders in a single lustrous wave. She was clad in a trailing gown of what seemed thick black velvet. Her deep red lips parted in a small smile, revealing pearl-white teeth. Most remarkable of all were her eyes. They were purple, just like Drizzt's own.

Muffled but clear, Drizzt heard the sounds of battle outside the door. "I should be out there, helping him," he protested. "I'm going to be a warrior one day, you know."

The lady laughed-clear water on dark stone. "Oh, yes. I know. But your place right now is here, Dagger Bearer."

Drizzt gazed at the ornate dagger in his grip. Its purple gem winked back like a secret eye. He looked up at the lady.

"How do you know me?" he demanded.

"I know many things," she replied. A breath of wind seemed to ripple the fabric of her gown, but Drizzt had felt no breeze. With a start he realized the truth. It was her dress itself that was moving. The gown was not fashioned of black velvet, but of tiny spiders, each clinging to another, weaving a living fabric.

Drizzt licked his lips. "I'm not… I'm not afraid of spiders, you know."

"Truly?" Her smile deepened, a perilous expression. "Then come closer, child."

The lady in the dress of spiders raised a slender arm, beckoning him, and Drizzt could not resist her power.